As I’m sure you know, Pope Francis has called for tomorrow to be observed as a day of prayer and fasting for peace in Syria. Joshua Gonnerman gathered a few prayer resources, mostly from service books, for those who are interested in them, to help people join Pope Francis in prayer tomorrow.
The following is from the USCCB’s website:Almighty eternal God, source of all compassion,
the promise of your mercy and saving help fills our hearts with hope.
Hear the cries of the people of Syria;
bring healing to those suffering from the violence,
and comfort to those mourning the dead.
Empower and encourage Syria’s neighbors
in their care and welcome for refugees.
Convert the hearts of those who have taken up arms,
and strengthen the resolve of those committed to peace.
O God of hope and Father of mercy,
your Holy Spirit inspires us to look beyond ourselves and our own needs.
Inspire leaders to choose peace over violence
and to seek reconciliation with enemies.
Inspire the Church around the world with compassion for the people of Syria,
and fill us with hope for a future of peace built on justice for all.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace and Light of the World,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Amen.
From the Roman Missal, collects (orationes) from the Mass for the Preservation of Peace and Justice:
O God, who show a father’s care for all,
grant, in your mercy,
that the members of the human race,
to whom you have given a single origin,
may form in peace a single family and always be united by a fraternal spirit.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ. . .
O God of peace, who are peace itself
and whom a spirit of discord cannot grasp,
nor a violent mind receive,
grant that those who are one in heart
may persevere in what is good
and that those in conflict
may forget evil and so be healed.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ . . .
From the Book of Common Prayer (US):
Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
From the Book of Common Prayer (Canada):
Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed: Kindle, we pray thee, in the hearts of all men the true love of peace, and guide with thy pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth; that in tranquillity thy kingdom may go forward, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of thy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God and merciful Father, who wouldest have the kingdoms of the world become the kingdom of thy Son Jesus Christ: Bestow thy blessing, we beseech thee, upon all who labour for peace and righteousness among the peoples [especially N.]; that the day may be hastened when war shall be no more, and thy will only shall govern the nations upon earth; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From the United Methodist Book of Worship:
Remember, Prince of Peace,
the people of the world divided into many nations and tongues.
Deliver us from every evil that obstructs your saving purpose,
and fulfill your promises of old to establish your kingdom of peace.
R. O Lord, deliver us.
From believing and speaking lies against other nations,
R. O Lord, deliver us.
From narrow loyalties and selfish isolation,
R. O Lord, deliver us.
From fear and distrust of other nations,
from all false pride, vainglory, and self-conceit,
R. O Lord, deliver us.
From the lust of the mighty for riches,
that drive peaceful people to slaughter,
R. O Lord, deliver us.
From putting our trust in the weapons of war,
and from want of faith in the power of justice and good will,
R. O Lord, deliver us.
From every thought, word, and deed which that the human family
and separates us from the perfect realization of your love,
R. O Lord, deliver us. Amen.
From the Lutheran Book of Worship:
O God, it is your will to hold both heaven and earth in a single peace. Let the design of your great love shine on the waste of our wraths and sorrows, and give peace to your Church, peace among nations, peace in our homes, and peace in our hearts; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
From the Great Book of Needs:
Let us pray to the Lord.
R. Lord have mercy.
We thank thee, O Master and Lover of Mankind, King of the ages and Giver of good things, Who didst destroy the middle wall of enmity and didst grant peace unto the race of man, and Who now hast granted peace unto Thy servants. Instill in them the fear of Thee, and confirm love for each other. Extinguish every dispute and banish every temptation to disagreement. For Thou art our Peace, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
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